Welcome

Welcome to St Mary Magdalen Church – we are the church with the blue roof in Chapelfields, Coventry.

We are an Anglican congregation in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England in the Diocese of Coventry with a heart for social justice. We are “liberal” and “inclusive”, recognising that everyone is made in God’s image. Accordingly, we welcome all into our midst, irrespective of their age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, nationality, physical or mental abilities, culture, background or their present or past situations.

Sunday – 10am Sung Eucharist

Sunday – Messy Church

Imagine – one night where no one has to make supper! Instead everyone gets to enjoy making a craft, playing a game, learning about the God who loves us, and enjoying a meal together! Messy Church is a fresh new way of experiencing church. It’s creating, worshipping and sharing a meal together. It’s for all ages. It’s fun. It’s family friendly. It happens when you arrive – come as you are able.

Our 2019 schedule is:

This is our 2019 schedule:

13th January starting at 4pm;

10th February starting at 4pm;

10th March starting at 4pm;

19th April starting at 10:00am — celebrating Easter

13th October starting at 4:00pm — celebrating Harvest

8th December starting at 4:00pm — celebrating Christmas

Typical programme:

4:00 p.m. Welcome. You may arrive anytime through the evening. You are never ‘late’ for Messy Church.

Julian meeting are for people of all denominations — or none — who wish to join with others in contemplative silent prayer in the Christian tradition. A brief reading and / or piece of music leads into half an hour of silent prayer, followed by another reading and more silent prayer. The whole meeting lasts around an hour, and is followed by tea and coffee.

What we do is perhaps best expressed on the Julian prayer card:

Relax your body and quieten your mind.
Be open to God in the silence.
God is with you — here, now.
Do not strive or be anxious.
Be silent, be still and let God reach you.
Let God love you.

Sunday – 6.30pm — 7.30pm Occupy Adoration Second Sunday in the month

In this short, contemplative service of prayer, we spend an hour in the presence of Jesus. We begin and end the hour with short spoken prayers, and sometimes music, but for most of the service we pray together in silence.Please enter the Church by the wooden door on the right of the Magdalen Centre, on Sir Thomas White’s Road.

About the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

In our Eucharist services that take place earlier in the day (at 8am and 10am), our Priest follows the example of Jesus, and gives thanks for our bread and wine, blesses it, and distributes it to the congregation. We do this because on the night before He died, Christ said “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22.19). Following His words, we believe that Jesus is present in the bread and wine at our Communion services.

After the Eucharist service, a piece of bread (known as the Blessed Sacrament) is kept back, to display at the Adoration service later in the day. This bread becomes the focus for our thoughts, prayers and love: our adoration. People sometimes ask “what would you do, if you came face to face with Jesus today?”, and in these services we believe that Christ is truly with us, and so the atmosphere of this service is one of humble reverence and self-giving love.

The whole Adoration service lasts an hour, to remind us of the night before the Crucifixion, when Jesus found his friends sleeping; and said to them “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?” (Matthew 26.40).

During the rest of the week, the Blessed Sacrament is kept in a cabinet in the Lady Chapel in the Church, and a lamp that hangs from the ceiling is lit to let people know that it is there, so that they can pray in the presence of the Lord.

What would you pray, if you met with Jesus today?

Sunday – 8.30pm — 9.00pm Sung Compline Third Sunday in the month

Come experience sung night prayer (compline) by candlelight. A beautiful and contemplative way to end your weekend!

Please enter the Church by the wooden door on the right of the Magdalen Centre, on Sir Thomas White’s Road.

Sunday – 6.30pm — 7.30pm Refuge Fourth Sunday in the month

noun: refuge ‘a place or situation providing safety or shelter’

Refuge blends contemporary worship music with a reflective and contemplative atmosphere at Mary Mags church. We’re exploring an adventure in faith that is attracting young people, the older members of our community and everyone in between. Refuge includes singing and maybe a short talk or a chance to respond through creative activities. There’s always great coffee and cookies from 6.15pm, with the event starting at 6.30pm and ending about 7.30pm. All welcome. Explore a new way to worship.

Community groups

Second Monday of every month, 1.30pm — 3.30pm Memory Café

Please join us for our Memory Café on the 2nd Monday of the month from 1.30–3.00pm, for an afternoon of coffee and cakes, singing favourite old songs, memory games, and just some time for conversation and friendship.

Intended for those suffering from dementia and their carers – or just for anyone who wants to come along who feels a little lonely and would like the company.

Tuesdays 1.30pm — 3.30pm Knit for Peace

An opportunity to meet, socialise and change the world (a little) at the same time. In a relaxed and social environment we chat and knit clothing and blankets, which are then given to Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Our group is made up of a diversity of ages, some come to church some don’t. We are also all at different standards in our ability to knit so don’t worry if you drop a stitch someone is on hand to pick it up again or to help you find your place on a pattern.

Tuesdays 7.15pm — 9.15pm Chapelfields Community Choir

If you are interested in singing, passionate about choral music performed well and want to make some new friends in the community then this choir is the place for you! No experience required, just a desire to make some music with a fun and diverse group of singers. We rehearse for just under an hour, stop for a glass of wine (or two) and then rehearse for another 30 minutes or so. At the end of rehearsal, we head to a pub for drinks and a time to get to know each other.

Wednesdays 1.30pm — 3pm Jolly Tots

Do you sometimes feel isolated? Do you want to get your child used to playing with others? A safe place for children to play and socialise and for carers to meet with their peers over refreshments. Space to play, toys, singing, craft, baby changing facilities, quality refreshments. Email priest@stmarymagdalen.plus.com or call 024 7667 2976 to register an interest in attending or for more information.

Thursdays 11.30am — 1.30pm Luncheon Club

The club was formed on 25th April 1974 to provide aged like-minded parishioners a meeting point for a meal, chat and a Communion service. Transport was provided and the total cost was 15p. Although we don’t provide transport nowadays and the cost has risen to £2, the club is still going strong. We meet every Thursday and the Communion service commences at 11.30am for those who wish to attend, followed a little after 12 noon by the meal. The average attendance is 26 including the helpers in the kitchen and usually everyone has departed by 1.30pm.

If you would like to join this social occasion and have the ability to make your way to the church, contact us for further details, out phone number and address are at the bottom of this page.

Concerts

Watch this space!

Other events

Thursdays 7.15pm — 9pm Alpha @St Mary Mags

Starting 21st February, 2019!

St Mary Magdalen Church (you know, the one with the blue roof) is planning an Alpha course that is open to anyone and everyone! If you are at all curious or want to explore bigger questions about life, come and join us!

What: Alpha is for anyone curious about the Christian faith, encouraging conversation in an open and friendly environment. We’ll gather each week for some food and to watch a short film, leaving plenty of time for conversation. No question or point of view is off limits!

When: Alpha starts on Thursday 21st February from 7.15-9.00pm. It will run for 8 weeks. (We are also planning a longer session on Saturday 23rd March).

Cost: Free

How do I join: There is no sign-up or anything, but please send a quick email to priest@stmarymagdalen.plus.com (just so we have a rough idea of numbers and have enough food for everyone).

From the archive: Centenary events (27–29 October 2017)

This month, St Mary Magdalen Church is celebrating its centenary with a number of special events.

On Friday 27th October the church will be open to the public with an archive exhibition, flower displays and refreshments. On Saturday 28th October there will be a Service of Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel at 10am following which the church will be open again until 2.30pm. On Sunday 29th October a Centenary Eucharist will be held at 10am where the guest preacher will be the Very Rev’d John Witcombe, the Dean of Coventry Cathedral. Finally, at 6.30pm there will be a Service of Choral Evensong.

Some readers of this page may remember the old “Tin Tabernacle” which stood in Sir Thomas White’s Road next to St Mary Magdalen Church until the early 1960s. Before the “new” church was built in 1934, that tin building served as the church for seventeen years. It was bought from Spon End where it was used as St Thomas’ mission church, and the first services in the “District Church of St Mary Magdalen”, as it became, took place on Sunday 28th October 1917. See our history page for more details.

Our Organist and Director of Music, Tim Campain, said “We look forward to welcoming anyone wishing to celebrate with us, either by coming to one of the services or just coming to have a look round our beautiful church. You will be made very welcome, and we would particularly like to hear from anyone who may have particular memories of the Tin Tabernacle itself”.

Friday 27th October

The Church will be open all day with an exhibition from our archives on display

Saturday 28th October

10.00 Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel

The Church will be open from 10.30–14.30 with an exhibition from our archives on display

Sunday 29th October

10.00 Centenary Eucharist with Very Rev’d John Witcombe preaching

11.30 Bring and share lunch (following the 10am service)

18.30 Choral Evensong with the choir of St Nicolas, Nuneaton

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I’m new

It can be daunting to step into a Church for the first time, and we try to make visitors as welcome and comfortable as possible. This page is intended to answer some common questions about St Mary Magdalen’s, but if your question isn’t answered here, please do get in touch with us — our contact details are at the bottom of the page.

Will I be welcome?

Everyone is welcome at St Mary Magdalen and members of our Church come from all walks of life. As of June 2017, St Mary Magdalen is an official Inclusive Church parish. The Inclusive Church statement of belief is:

We believe in inclusive Church – church which does not discriminate, on any level, on grounds of economic power, gender, mental health, physical ability, race or sexuality. We believe in Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.

What will happen when I come to a service?

You will come in to the Church through the Magdalen Centre (the modern entrance on Sir Thomas White’s Road) and a welcomer will be there to greet you. They will give you a service sheet and anything else you need to follow the service. When you take a seat in the Church, there will be a hymn book for you in the back of the chair in front of you — there are some large print hymn books in some seats. Braille copies of the service sheets are available and can be provided by the welcomer. If you have never been to Church before, or you are not sure about following the service, just tell the welcomer and they will find a friendly person that you can sit next to who will show you the ropes.

Is the church accessible?

We are all created in the image of God and on occasions we all need assistance to accessing worship. Here are a few things we are trying to do to help:

Disability access entry to our church is on a flat level. All our chairs move so you can sit where you want to with your family and friends. We have new full and dedicated disability toilet facilities.

Hearing assistance if you use a hearing aid switch it to the T switch to gain a clearer sound of the service.

Sight assistance all our orders of service are available in large print. We have large print copies of our main hymn book in the seats and braille copies of the service sheets are available.

Food allergies wheat free communion bread is available, please speak to the Rev’d Dwayne to indicate you have an intolerance. Our kitchen is used by outside groups so we can not be fully confident that food prepared does not contain allergens such as nuts or seeds or has not come into contact with traces of allergens such as nuts or seeds.

Can I come to church if I am not a Christian?

Yes, definitely! You will be welcome at St Mary Magdalen whether you have been a Christian for many years, or you have never stepped into a Church before.

What should I wear?

There is no dress code at St Mary Magdalen and no need to wear “Sunday best”, just wear whatever you feel most comfortable in.

Will I be asked to do anything during the services?

No, if you are new to St Mary Magdalen you will not be called on or asked to do anything.

Can I sit anywhere in the Church or are there reserved seats?

Feel free to sit anywhere in the wooden chairs in the main part of the Church. Towards the back of the Church, near the altar, there are some wooden pews which are for the choir and clergy.

Can I leave part-way through if I feel uncomfortable?

If you feel uncomfortable you can leave at any time.

Will I be expected to give any money?

No. We do take a collection during our main Sunday services, but if you are just visiting or trying us out then feel free to give as much or as little as you want, or nothing at all. The money collected during the services goes towards the day to day running costs of our church, mission work in the community and the parish share which pays for Church of England clergy and staff in the Coventry area.

Who can take communion at St Mary Magdalen?

Anyone who takes communion in their own church is welcome to take communion at St Mary Magdalen. If you do not wish to receive communion, you are welcome to come to the altar and receive a blessing.

Can I bring children to a service?

We have child changing facilities, a microwave to heat food and toys if they need distracting. We are used to children running around but also have the service being relayed into another room if you become uncomfortable and need to give them space to fidget and scream.

Can I park at St Mary Magdalen?

The Church is located in a residential area, and there is very limited parking at the Church itself. However, it is usually possible to park in the surrounding streets, but please be mindful of our neighbours. There is a map at the bottom of the page.

How do I get to St Mary Magdalen by public transport?

The Church is close to bus stops on Craven Street (services 1, 40 and 45), Queensland Avenue (services 6, 6A, 6S, 18, 19, 47 and 53) and Hearsall Common (services 1, 11, 11U, 40, 45). Network West Midlands have a journey planner that can help you find the quickest route to the Church. The Church postcode is CV5 8DR, and there is a map at the bottom of this page.